When does Pastoral and Poetic take place?

The public rehearsal takes place on Tuesday, February 23, 2027, at 11:30 AM.

Where does the public rehearsal take place?

The venue is the Mercatorhalle Duisburg at König-Heinrich-Platz in 47051 Duisburg.

What is the cost of admission?

Admission to the public rehearsal is free.

Who is participating in the rehearsal?

Involved are Stefan Blunier as conductor, Louis Lortie at the piano, and the Duisburg Philharmonic.

What works are on the program?

The program includes Schumann’s overture to the opera Genoveva, op. 81, Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, op. 21, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, op. 60.

Is the event covered?

Yes, the public rehearsal takes place in the interior Philharmonie Mercatorhalle.

Beethoven, Chopin and Schumann up close: Duisburg opens the rehearsal for classical music fans

Name: Pastoral and Poetic
Start: 2027-02-23T11:30:00+01:00
End: 2027-02-23T11:30:00+01:00
Location: Mercatorhalle Duisburg

Pastoral and Poetic: A public rehearsal with great symphonic tension

In the Philharmonie Mercatorhalle Duisburg, the concert hall opens up for a special behind-the-scenes look: At the public rehearsal of Pastoral and Poetic, visitors experience Stefan Blunier, Louis Lortie, and the Duisburg Philharmonic in the midst of musical preparation.

Beethoven between Transparency and Energy

Stefan Blunier has a long-standing artistic relationship with Ludwig van Beethoven. From 2008 to 2016, he served as the principal conductor of the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn. In Duisburg, Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, op. 60 is on the program – a work with clear classical architecture, transparent instrumentation, and an energy that develops from finely tuned orchestral work.

Louis Lortie and the Poetic Side of the Piano

At the center of the concert program is Frédéric Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, op. 21. Louis Lortie is one of the renowned Chopin interpreters of his generation and has intensely engaged with the Polish composer over the years. His pianistic brilliance meets a sensitive sound design where virtuosic runs, cantabile lines, and romantic color changes intertwine.

A Rehearsal Moment Full of Sound Colors

The program begins with Robert Schumann’s overture to the opera Genoveva, op. 81. Afterwards, the musical dramaturgy moves from Chopin’s lyrical piano art to Beethoven’s symphonic clarity. A public rehearsal makes audible how conducting, orchestration, and synchronization develop: individual voices emerge, transitions are sharpened, and the collective sound of the orchestra gains contour.

Musical Encounter at Mercatorhalle

The Duisburg Philharmonic is one of the defining orchestras of the region. With Stefan Blunier as the musical director and Louis Lortie at the piano, the rehearsal promises a focused concert experience between workshop character and grand stage performance. The Mercatorhalle provides the fitting space, where the acoustics make every dynamic nuance visible and audible.

Conclusion: Experience Classical Music Up Close

Pastoral and Poetic invites you to discover symphonic music up close. Admission to the public rehearsal on February 23, 2027, is free. Those who want to experience how Schumann, Chopin, and Beethoven shape their sound under professional guidance can find an impressive access to the world of orchestral rehearsal in Duisburg.